"H'm!" said the doctor, as he softly drew the little hand away and then laid his own upon the bandage. "Rather hot," he said gently. "No wonder, after what I had to do yesterday. Yes, it can't do any harm to re-dress it;" and to Mark's surprise he drew out a little bundle of lint and a roll of bandage from his breast-pocket, setting to work at once, laying bare the terrible wound, which he bathed and cleansed, and then after drying it tenderly he applied a fresh piece of lint soaked with the antiseptic drops from the little bottle, which also made its appearance from the doctor's pocket. "I didn't know you had come prepared, doctor," said Mark, as he supported the arm so that his companion could easily apply the fresh bandage; and when this was done he laid it gently back by the little savage's side, looking at him admiringly the while, for he had not even winced. "There," said the doctor, "I begin to think nature will do the rest for you; but I will come in and see you again. Why, hallo!" he continued. "I didn't know we had such an audience as this." For every tree seemed to have a little face peering round it watching what was going on, and some of the grave, serious-looking eyes were undoubtedly those of the little women, none of whom now shrank away as the doctor moved back towards the amphitheatre. "There, Mak," cried Mark, "tell this little chief that we are much obliged for the two springboks." The black stared at him. "How stupid!" said Dean. "Much obliged!" "Well, you try," said Mark angrily. "I wasn't going to pretend to chew and lick my lips as if the steaks were very good." "Why not?" said Dean mockingly. "You know they were." "Well, aren't you going to tell him better?" said Mark scoffingly. "No, I'm not. Come on." They made their way back, to find an early supper of venison awaiting them, and that night the boys lay talking in the waggon about the doctor's patient and the next day's visit, till Dean dropped off to sleep, but only to be woke up directly by Mark. "Don't begin snoozing yet," he said. "Bother! What did you wake me up for?" "I want you to practise pigmy, and teach me how to say, `Thank you; much obliged for the venison.'" "You go to sleep; and if you wake me like that again I'll kick you out of bed." "Can't; we haven't got one." "Old Clever!" "But I say, seriously; isn't it a pity the doctor doesn't know Illakee, or whatever they call it? I fancy he will soon be able to make Mak understand." "Yes," said Dean drowsily. "Who would ever have thought he could play at surgeon like that? I believe he could do anything if he liked." "Yes. I will tell him you said so when we are on our way to Wonder Wood to-morrow morning." But Mark did not, for they did not go to Wonder Wood, as the boy called it, for the simple reason that a strange surprise awaited them just as Dan had announced that breakfast was ready. "What is for breakfast this morning?" said Mark.